Background
Barnard was born at Mole Creek, Tasmania and was educated at Invermay State School, but left school at 14.
Barnard was born at Mole Creek, Tasmania and was educated at Invermay State School, but left school at 14.
In 1909 he began working for Tasmanian Government Railways, first as an engine cleaner and eventually as a driver. In 1920 he helped found the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen. Barnard stood unsuccessfully at the 1931 election as the Australian Labor Party candidate for the seat of Bass in the Australian House of Representatives.
From 1941 to 1946, he was chairman of the joint parliamentary committee on social security, which developed much of the Curtin and Chifley governments" social policy agenda.
In November 1946, he was appointed Minister for Repatriation in the second Chifley Ministry. In 1950, Barnard was elected to represent the Tasmanian House of Assembly division of Bass and held it until his death.
In 1933, he became state secretary of the party and at the 1934 election he won Bass.